The largest rabies-related event on the calendar, World Rabies Day is organized by Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and has been observed annually on September 28 since 2007. World Rabies Day strives to promote rabies eradication globally and increase public knowledge of the disease. It is an event that aims to be inclusive, bringing together stakeholders from various sectors to fight rabies because, working together, we can eradicate rabies! The subject of this year's World Rabies Day is Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths in recognition of this idea of cohesion and harmony.
Every year, GARC chooses a theme that is most relevant to the rabies situation today, the trends throughout the world, and health in general. In light of the "Zero by 30" target and the fact that it is feasible to eradicate human rabies through dog-mediated transmission, this year's theme will center on One Health. By emphasizing and reminding the international population that rabies elimination is feasible, that we have a target (Zero by 30), and that we are working together to combat this terrible illness, we purposely crafted a theme with a positive message.
After the worst of the COVID epidemic, all the anxiety and pessimistic headlines, and the unfavorable public reactions to COVID vaccination mandates, this cheerful message hope to be a welcome change of pace. Importantly for rabies, we have a robust global community, the knowledge and resources, and a goal for the abolition of human rabies deaths caused by dogs. Therefore, the emphasis of the message is on working together to bring about good change and accomplish what we know is feasible: rabies eradication.
The idea of one health is becoming more and more prevalent in disease prevention initiatives. The world has recently been made aware of the interdependence and interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health by examples like COVID-19 and antimicrobial resistance. The establishment of the WHO NTD roadmap and the One Health companion document, both of which notably address rabies, as well as talks and mentions of One Health on other significant platforms, like the G20 conference (2020), demonstrate the significance of this initiative.
Elimination of rabies is a prime example of the One Health strategy, involving participation and cooperation from the human, animal, and environmental sectors. It is also frequently used as an illustration of operationalizing One Health. Whether you are a professional or a member of the public interested in rabies, this One Health portion of the theme has been created to be inclusive, ensuring that everyone views themselves as a vital partner who can make a difference and help us as a group to accomplish rabies elimination. In keeping with the "Zero by 30: Global Strategic Plan for the elimination of dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030," this topic promotes cooperation, teamwork, and a coordinated approach to rabies elimination, or "Zero Deaths."
PDO I Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
GARC – WORLD RABIES DAY
https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day
https://rabiesalliance.org/news/world-rabies-day-2022-theme-here
